Folding raft or float



March 22, 1960 DAlLY 2,929,080

FOLDING RAFT OR FLOAT Filed May 31, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR AMUEL H. DAILY ORNEB March 22, 1960 A. H. DAl L Y 2,929,080

FOLDING RAFT OR FLOAT Filed May 31, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR A/VUEL H. D/II LY KTORNEB United States Patent FOLDING RAFT 0R FLOAT Amuel H. Daily, Cottage Hills, Ill.

Application May 31, 1957, Serial No. 662,660

3 Claims. (Cl. 9-2

This invention is a novel folding raft or float adapted when unfolded to be used on relatively still waters for fly or bait casting, the same being constructed largely of marine plywood sections hinged together so as to be foldable into a relatively small area of approximately 24" square and 4" thick, and having a weight of less than 20 pounds, said folding raft or float having certain novel features of construction hereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof, to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same, and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top-perspective view of my folding raft or float showing the same in operative position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the folding raft orfloat, shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the folding raft or float, showing same in unfolded position.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the folding raft or float, showing the parts in folded position.

, Fig. 6 is an end view of the folded raft or float, shown in Fig. 5.

My novel folding raft or float preferably comprises a base 1 of substantially square shape having four sides approximately 24" each in length, to which are hingedly mounted on two opposite. sides thereof flaps 2 and 3 of rectangular shape, each being substantially 24" long and having a width of approximately 12". Along one edge between the flaps 2 and 3 is a flap 4 of substantially the same area as the base 1, flap 4 being also hingedly connected to the base 1 so that when the parts are in folded position the entire size of the folded raft or float will be approximately 24" square and the total thickness not exceeding approximately 4", whereby the same may be readily carried from place to place. Preferably each of the members 1 to 4 are formed of marine plywood for purposes of strength and lightness. However, the members 1 to 4 may be of any other desired materials.

As shown, base 1 is preferably formed of marine plywood and is of substantially square shape; and upon the top surface of member 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is a marine plywood member 5 forming a backrest of rectangular shape and of smaller size than the base 1 or flap 4, said backrest 5 being hingedly connected to the top of base 1 by means of hinges 6 so as to be swingable from a position parallel with base 1 to an upended position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the amount of swing of backrest 5 being controlled by flexible chains or cables 7 which are secured by eyelets 8 to base 1 at one end and to backrest 5 by means of eyelets 9 or the like, at the other end, as clearly shown in the drawings, the backrest 5 when upended being disposed at an angle slightly in excess of 2,929,689 Patented Mar. 22, 19360 ice with respect to the plane of base 1, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Secured to the rear face of backrest 5 is a hinged eye or bail 10 of general circular shape through which may be inserted the pole 11 of an umbrella or the like, not shown, which pole 11 is disposed normal to base 1, the lower end of pole 11 entering a hole 12, Fig. 5, provided therefor so that the umbrella may shade the occupant of the raft or float from direct sun rays, pole 11 being sup ported by the eye or bail 10 when backrest 5 is an upended position shown in Fig. 2.

Flap 4 is secured to the edge In of base 1 by means of hinges 13, Fig. 4, which are secured to the members 1 and 4 on the lower faces of said members, whereby flap 4 may be hinged into the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, or may be hinged into position underlying base 1, the hinges 13 having pintles which are offset from base 1 to conform with the thickness of the flaps 2 and 3, which flaps 2 and 3, when the raft or float is folded, are disposed between the base 1 and flap 4.

Within the area of flap 4 is a substantially rectangular opening 14 which is preferably of the same size and shape as backrest 5, and preferably backrest 5 is formed from the material cut out from flap 4 when forming the opening 14, in order to save material in the manufacture of the raft or float.

The hinges 13, being mounted upon the bottom ofthe base 1 and the bottom of flap 4, when open will prevent flap 4 from flexing upwardly, when the parts are in normal opened position, out of the plane of base 1. However, to further prevent upward flexing of flap 4 above the plane of the base 1 when the members are extended, Iprovide a clip 15, Figs. 1, 3 and 4, in the form of a plate adapted to fit between'the contacting edges of base 1 and flap 4, when the flap 4 is opened or extended, plate 15 having a flange 15a, Fig. 3, adapted to underlie base 1 as shown, the said flange 15a being secured thereto by screws 16 or the like, and said clip also having a flange 15b, Fig. 3, adapted to overlie flap 4 when the flap 4 is extended as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the clip 15 thus tending to maintain base 1 and flap 4, when the raft or float is opened, in substantially parallel relation, prevent- Iiang the flap 4 from swinging upwardly out of the plane of ase 1.

At opposite sides of base 1, embracing the flap 4, are

side flaps 2 and 3 hingedly connected thereto by means of hinges 17 applied to the underside of base 1 and to flaps 2 and 3, whereby the flaps 2 and 3 which are of substantially half the area of base 1 may be swung to overlie base 1 and to lie within the overall area of base 1 when the raft or float is folded. Each flap 2 and 3 is provided adjacent its center, but slightly forwardly towards flap 4, with a circular opening 18, Figs. 1 and 4, which serve as an oarlock, the oars being inserted upwardly through the holes 18 from their handle ends so as to be readily manipulated by the occupant of the float or raft seated upon the base 1 against backrest 5 with his feet dangling through the opening 14 in flap 4.

In order to provide buoyancy for the float or raft, I employ three inflated inner tubes such as used in connection with automobile tires, one inner tube being secured to the underside of flap 4 when the raft is unfolded, and the other two inflated inner tubes being disposed one under the side flap 2 and base 1, and the other under the side flap 3 and base 1 respectively, the inner tubes being readily attachable and detachable from the float when in opened or extended position.

As shown, one inner tube 19 is disposed under flap 4 and held in position against the underside thereof by means of flexible members 20 and 21, Fig. 4, having their ends secured by hooks 22 to-the underside of flap 4 and to the adjacent portion of base 1, so that in applyassesses ing the inner tube 19 to the float it is only necessary to unfasten one hook 22 of each flexible member 20-21 and pass same around the inflated inner tube 19 and to reengage the hooks 33 with their respective eyes, so that inner tube 1% will be prevented from lateral displacement with respect to flap 4. Similarly, another inner tube 23 would be disposed under flap'2 and its adjacent half of base 1, and would be held in position thereon by means of flexible members 2'7 and 28 having their ends secured by hooks 29 to the underside of flap 2 and adjacent portion of base 1; while the third inner tube (not shown) would be secured to the underside of flap 3 and adjacent portion of base 1 by means of flexible members 24 and 25 having their ends secured by hooks 26 to eyelets in the undersides of flap 3 and the adjacent portion of base 1.

Thus when it is desired to use the folding raft or float, as soon as the same is unfolded from the folded position shown in Figs. and 6, to the unfolded position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, it is only necessary to inflate the inner tubes 1923 and to secure them to the undersides of the float by means of flexible members 20, 21, 24, 25, 27 and 23, hereinbefore described, whereupon the unfolded raft or float may be placed upon the water and the occupant may be seated upon base 1 leaning against backrest 5, with his feet dangling through the opening 14 in flap 4, and'the occupant may propel to some extent the movement of the raft or float over the water utilizing his feet which are partially submerged through the opening 14. Hemay also utilize the oars (not shown) which are confined in the holes 18 if he so desires. Moreover,

he may secure the raft or float in any desired position at the corners of base 1 and the flaps 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Moreover, when the raft or float is in folded position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the parts may be secured in such folded position by passing a strap or the like through the aligned slots 31 provided therefor in base 1 and in flap '4 to prevent the parts from separating from folded position. The flaps 2 and 3 may have cut-out portions 32 to permit passage of the strap through the aligned slots 31 in base 1 and flap 4 when the parts are in the folded position shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

If desired, base 1 may be further provided with holes 33, Fig. 4, to accommodate the eyelets for the flexible members 24 and 27 when the flaps 2 and 3 are swung into folded position across base 1. A;

By the above construction I have provided a folding raft or fioat, particularly adapted for use on still waters for fly or bait casting, the same being readily portable and the same consisting of a minimum number of marine plywood panels hinged together so that when opened or extended the fisherman may sit on the base 1, leaning against backrest 5 with his feet dangling through the opening 14, whereby he may paddle the float with his feet. The three inner tubes are fastened to the bottom of the float to give it the required buoyancy; and the two "holes 18 in the flaps 2 and 3 may be used as oarlocks.

The backrest 5 is preferably made from a piece of plywood cut out from the flap 4 in forming the opening 14. When folded the float will be in the form of a square of approximately two feet on each side, and not necessarily more than four inches thick, and the same need not have a weight exceeding twenty pounds. The brace 15, with its lips a and 15d will maintain the base 1 and flap 4 in substantial alignment when in open position so that the occupant will not be pinched by'slight movements of the members 1 and 4.

I donor limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A folding raft or float, comprising a base upon which an occupant may be seated; a flap of substantially same size and area as the base hingedly-securcd to one side of the base and adapted to be swung to underlie the base, said flap having an opening therein through which the feet of the seated occupant may extend; means on the base for preventing the flap from swinging upwardly above the plane ofthe base; side flaps hingedly secured to the underside of the base at opposite sides thereof and adapted to be swung to underlie the base, each side flap being of same length as the side of the base and of widths slightly less than half its length; inflated circular inner tubes adapted'to be removably disposed under the first flap and under the side flaps and the adjacent portions of the base respectively; and means for removably securing said tubes to the undersides of said flaps and 7 base when the flaps are extruded.

2. A raft or float as set forth in claim 1, said preventing means comprising a clip disposed between the first flap and base -when the flap is opened; said clip having one flange secured to the underside of the base, and

having another flange overlying the said flap when the latter is opened.

3. A raft or float as set forth in claim 1, said securing means for the tubes each comprising a pair of flexible members adapted to be passed under the tubes and having hooks at their ends engaging eyes in the undersides of the base and related flaps; said flexible members of each pair being disposed in diametrical relation to its related tube. 7

References Cited "in the i'ile of this patent UNTI'ED STATES PATENTS 441,534 Chubb Nov. 25, 1890 2,226,911 Romano Dec. 31, 1940 2,253,936 KflISlZ' Aug. 26, 1941 2,332,009 Perri Oct. 19, 1943 2,396,148 Bean Mar. 5, 1946 2,453,155 Nelson et a1 Nov. 9, 1948 2,683,270 Long July 13, 1954 2,803,839 Mosley Aug. 27, 1957 

